Port Soif, August 21, 2024: Guernsey kicked off their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Sub Regional Europe Qualifier Group C campaign with a commanding 8-wicket victory over Bulgaria at the Guernsey Rovers Athletic Club Ground. Martin-Dale Bradley’s brilliant bowling performance set the foundation for Guernsey’s comprehensive win, earning him the Player of the Match award.
Match Report:
Bulgaria Innings: Bulgaria, after electing to bat first, struggled against a disciplined Guernsey bowling attack. They were bowled out for just 97 in 19.5 overs. Milen Gogev was the top scorer for Bulgaria with 27 off 24 balls, while Prakash Mishra added 18 off 25. However, the Guernsey bowlers, led by Martin-Dale Bradley (3/16) and Dane Mullen (2/11), ensured that Bulgaria never got going.
Guernsey Innings: Chasing a modest target of 98, Guernsey raced to victory in just 9.4 overs, finishing at 99/2. Josh Butler anchored the chase with an unbeaten 41 off 28 balls, while Tom Nightingale provided a quickfire 28 off 11 balls. Bulgaria’s Oscar Duff picked up 2/17, but it wasn’t enough to stop Guernsey from cruising to an 8-wicket win with 62 balls remaining.
Key Performances:
- Martin-Dale Bradley: Starred with the ball, taking 3/16 to dismantle Bulgaria’s batting line-up.
- Josh Butler: Guided Guernsey’s chase with an unbeaten 41, ensuring a comfortable win.
- Tom Nightingale: Contributed with a rapid 28 off 11 balls to set the tone early in the chase.
Records and Milestones:
- Lowest Match Aggregate: This match recorded the lowest aggregate score (196) in T20Is involving Bulgaria and Guernsey.
- Dimo Nikolov: Set a new record for most ducks (5) in T20Is for Bulgaria, surpassing Mishra’s previous record of 4.
Brief Scores:
Bulgaria: 97/10 in 19.5 overs (Milen Gogev 27, Prakash Mishra 18; Martin-Dale Bradley 3/16, Dane Mullen 2/11)
Guernsey: 99/2 in 9.4 overs (Josh Butler 41*, Tom Nightingale 28; Oscar Duff 2/17)
Result: Guernsey won by 8 wickets (with 62 balls remaining)
Player of the Match: Martin-Dale Bradley for his exceptional bowling spell against Bulgaria.
Guernsey’s dominant performance showcased their strength in both bowling and batting, setting a strong tone for their campaign in the Europe Qualifier. Bulgaria will need to regroup and improve their batting performance in the upcoming matches.
